It’s Walktober!
October 1, 2012 Leave a comment
International Walk to School Month begins today! Spread the word at your school and let’s get Seattle kids walking.
Bagley Elementary had three walking school buses last year and are adding some more for 2012-13.
At West Woodland, they’ve had a big walking school bus going for years! They’ve established some great guidelines to make sure everyone is safe and accounted for, and has fun as well.
Even at bike-crazy Bryant Elementary, walking school buses are all the rage this fall! Bryant has established four stations — each a few blocks from school — and parents are hosting meet-ups every Friday, and then families are walking to school en masse.
At Dearborn Elementary, in past years they’ve even had the principal and teachers lead their walking school buses!
If you want more info or some examples from these schools, let us know and we’ll set you up!
The Seattle School District passed a new transportation policy last year that requires each elementary and K-8 principal to establish at least one walking school bus by the 2013-14 school year. Let’s hold them to it, but also show them how it’s done by getting out and walking this fall.
Walking school buses can be simple or complex. In the old days, we just walked to school, right? But often we picked up friends along the way because that made it more fun. In its essence a walking school bus is no more than that: just a fun and healthy way for a group to get to school together. It can have timed routes with multiple stops, or just be a simple meet-up location for several families to leave together. Or a “bus” can be informal, with friends and neighbors just electing to walk to school together.
It’s never too late to rally some friends to walk or bike, or even to organize a small event. Feet First has made some nice template posters available that can easily be adapted, and posted at your school.
Let’s get Seattle school kids walking now! What are you doing at your school to help build this kid-powered movement?
Even Bryant’s walking. Well, and biking too!
Walk.Bike.Schools! 